What if your money weren’t a source of stress, but instead a tool that gave you clarity and confidence about the future?

This episode invites you to rethink how you approach financial planning—not as a rigid checklist of savings and investments, but as a way to design the life you want. You’ll hear how simple shifts in perspective can help you uncover overlooked resources, make smarter decisions, and finally take the weight of financial chaos off your shoulders. If you’ve ever felt like you’re juggling too much and falling behind on preparing for the future, this conversation will give you practical ways to get back in control.

Our guest, Apryl Pope, is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ who serves as a personal CFO for high-achieving women. With over a decade of experience, she helps clients organize, automate, and simplify their financial lives so they can stop spinning their wheels and start building toward their goals. Her path into financial services was shaped by her own experience of financial disorganization, which gave her a deep empathy for the struggles many people face. Beyond her client work, Apryl has taught financial literacy in schools, served in the Peace Corps in South Africa, and held leadership roles in nonprofits and professional organizations. Her passion is not only about helping individuals secure their futures but also about creating a ripple effect of financial wellness that strengthens families, workplaces, and communities.

In this episode, Shannon and Apryl Pope discuss: 

• The importance of financial planning and literacy for individuals and families
• Challenges and gaps in retirement savings and access to financial resources
• The role of service, education, and mentorship in empowering communities
• Strategies for creating financial security and designing a meaningful life 

Key Takeaways:

• Getting organized financially—by securing insurance, estate documents, and a debt payoff plan—before a crisis hits can mean the difference between peace of mind and devastation when life throws unexpected challenges.
• Regularly reviewing overlooked assets like stock options or employee benefits can unlock life-changing opportunities, such as eliminating debt and freeing up income to build long-term financial security.
• Broadening your perspective on money through service, cultural exposure, or volunteering can reshape how you view wealth, teaching you to reduce stress by focusing on meaningful living instead of chasing arbitrary financial milestones.
• Rather than fixating on hitting a retirement number or age, you can design your next chapter around the lifestyle you want—then align your finances to make that vision possible, whether it means starting a business, traveling, or simply reducing expenses. 

"What I don’t want to do is send you home with homework. I don’t do that. You’re not gonna get it done." — Apryl Pope

Connect with Apryl Pope: 

Website: https://www.myretirementplanpartners.com & https://www.popefinancialplanning.com/

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprylmpope/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/popefinancialplanning/

Connect with Shannon: 

Website: https://www.tristarpension.com/

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonedwardsplanconsultant/